Providence Bruins

Mar 6, 2016

VATRANO’S 3 SOLO GOALS SECURE OVERTIME WIN, 4-3

PROVIDENCE, RI - Frankie Vatrano continued his prolific scoring season with three unassisted goals, including the over time game-winner. Vatrano is just the third player in AHL history to score 3 unassisted goals in one game. This was his third AHL hat trick of the season, who now has 29 goals in 28 games.

The first 10 minutes of the game was played mostly in the neutral zone, but Jooonas Kemppainen got the scoring started 17:13 into play. Kemppainen knocked home a rebound while standing on McKenna’s doorstep to notch his first goal as a P-Bruin.

Vatrano doubled Providence’s lead just 20 seconds later on a solo effort. He wrapped around the net and his backhanded dribbled behind McKenna and over the line.

The Pirates capitalized on a power play with just 1 second remaining in the period to make it a 2-1 game heading into the second.

In the second period the Providence Bruins out shot the Pirates 23-7, but it was Portland who was able to find a way on the board. Brett Olson capitalized on a 2v1 to tie the game at 2-2. Jeremy Smith had to flash the gloves more than once to keep Providence in the game.

Emotions began to run high towards the end of the middle frame, typical for a home-and-home series, especially between two teams who were meeting for the 11th time this season. Ben Sexton and Vatrano were both issued roughing minors.

Vatrano notched his second of the night 8:48 into the third period. After bringing the puck into the offensive zone, Vatrano released a wrist shot from the high slot that zipped high stick side on McKenna which put Providence up 3-2.

The Pirates fought back and scores a goal of their own with just 57 seconds to play in regulation. Grimaldi’s goal forced the 3v3 overtime.

Vatrano didn’t waste any time in overtime, scoring just 40 seconds into the extra period. After beating Brickley in a foot race in the neutral zone, Vatrano streaked down the left wing, decked once, then released a low wrister glove side that found the back of the net. The goal secured the overtime win and completed Frankie’s trifecta of unassisted tallies.

The Providence Bruins are back home at the Dunk Friday March, 11th against the Hartford Wolf Pack, then again on March 12th and 13th against Toronto and Utica respectively.